Trump reportedly worried grounding Boeing 737 MAX jets would hurt the stock market
Before ordering the grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX airplanes on Wednesday, President Trump was concerned that the act would cause alarm and hurt the stock market, two people familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.
A Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed on Sunday just minutes after taking off from Addis Ababa, and the United States was the last major country still allowing the planes to fly.
During discussions with White House and Department of Transportation officials, Trump acted like an expert, people in the room told the Post, saying the Boeing 737 "sucked" and praising the Boeing 757, the type of jet he personally owns. He tried to explain equipment found in different types of airplanes, and kept comparing them to his plane. "He was very much engaged in this," one official said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
This is what you should know about State Department travel advisories and warnings
In Depth Stay safe on your international adventures
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US seeks Boeing plea deal, lawyers say
Speed Read The deal is tied to deadly 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing releases safety plan to skeptical FAA
Speed Read The Federal Aviation Administration demanded the plan after a door blew out on a Max 737 flight
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published